Roderick Strong to TNA?

[jccool420]

Rodrick Strong recently worked a dark match at the last set of TV Tapings...

I haven't seen much of Strong before, because I don't catch RoH... I did YouTube him and he seemed pretty impressive...

If he is signed, how do you think he will do in TNA?

I know a lot of people will say the roster is already too crowded, but if they get their Xplosion show on Spike then they will have a little more room to showcase their stars...

And yes, I know Strong was in TNA before, but I don't remember him too much...

 

[WCWMondayNitroOnYT]

Rodrick Strong recently worked a dark match at the last set of TV Tapings...

I haven't seen much of Strong before, because I don't catch RoH... I did YouTube him and he seemed pretty impressive...

If he is signed, how do you think he will do in TNA?

I know a lot of people will say the roster is already too crowded, but if they get their Xplosion show on Spike then they will have a little more room to showcase their stars...

And yes, I know Strong was in TNA before, but I don't remember him too much...

He used to wrestle for TNA back with A double and somebody else (the name is escaping me right now). Just was googling it and I guess it was a super young Alex Shelley. 2005 doesn't seem that long ago. TNA should have never let them go. The Messiah of the backbreaker would be a definite improvement for the X division. Just thinking of a Douglas Williams/Roderick Strong feud gets me marked out.

 

[Phenomenal]

The guy is freaking AWSOME man. He is the master of backbreaker's, they will make you cringe. TNA need's more guys with sick moves, he is the person to fill that void.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I have no idea why they let him go to begin with!

Roderick Strong is a fantastic X Division talent – he was when he worked for TNA back in 2005 with A Double, and he would be now.

For that matter, bring back A Double, too! I miss my Austin Aeries, damnit.

 

[TellMeWhy]

Roderick Strong is a good wrestler but promowise and characterwise he's as bland as most ROH talents. He has nothing going for himself outside of wrestling. To me it doesn't make a difference if TNA picked him up or not. He's young and can probably be molded into something as time goes on but right now, he's not all that special whatsoever. You guys seem to fall into any ROH trap. Just because you're from ROH doesn't mean you're automatically worth it. McGuiness aka Wolfe was worth his spot because not only can he wrestle, but he has a look, mic skills, and a swagger about himself. Roderick only has 1 thing going for him which is wrestling and there's plenty of guys in TNA that can wrestle so it's not like he's going to be contributing something great outside of a few backbreakers.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Roderick Strong is a good wrestler but promowise and characterwise he's as bland as most ROH talents. He has nothing going for himself outside of wrestling. To me it doesn't make a difference if TNA picked him up or not. He's young and can probably be molded into something as time goes on but right now, he's not all that special whatsoever. You guys seem to fall into any ROH trap. Just because you're from ROH doesn't mean you're automatically worth it. McGuiness aka Wolfe was worth his spot because not only can he wrestle, but he has a look, mic skills, and a swagger about himself. Roderick only has 1 thing going for him which is wrestling and there's plenty of guys in TNA that can wrestle so it's not like he's going to be contributing something great outside of a few backbreakers.

Jay Lethal doesn't have much of his own personality either, but it didn't stop him.

Believe me, if there's anyone on these forums who puts a major focus on the personality of the wrestler, it's me, but there are some cases where that can be over looked, and this is one of them, IMO. Strong is technically sound enough to the point he compensates for that lack of an over-the-top/identifiable personality. When he works as a heel, he also helps to mask it even more, as it's generally an easy task to act superior to the peers around you.

What you also fail to realize, is that he does in fact bring more than just wrestling – he brings a new face, which as far as the X Division goes, is something that it could benefit from greatly. Eric Young can wrestle, as can Jesse Neal, Amazing Red, etc. but not a one of them would I rather see feuding for the XDC with Williams (or the current champion) over Strong.

Besides, seeing the Liontamer used in wrestling again (the Elevated Boston crab) as the Stronghold would be amazing!

 

[shogunsrampage]

I have no idea why they let him go to begin with!

Roderick Strong is a fantastic X Division talent – he was when he worked for TNA back in 2005 with A Double, and he would be now.

For that matter, bring back A Double, too! I miss my Austin Aeries, damnit.

they were suspended for something...i forgot what it was , but the suspensions lead to them going back to roh....back then tna seemed alot stricter than now..... they also cut hart and punk bc the 2 got into a fight at a coffee shop or something.....................bet there banging there head now for releasing punk

 

[Thriller Ant]

Strong is a huge signing for TNA, if that's what is happening. He's excellent in the ring, and has been better on the mic lately, using a character who feels like everyone is out to get him. He will put on great matches with anyone and would be a great asset to TNA.

 

[TellMeWhy]

they were suspended for something...i forgot what it was , but the suspensions lead to them going back to roh....back then tna seemed alot stricter than now..... they also cut hart and punk bc the 2 got into a fight at a coffee shop or something.....................bet there banging there head now for releasing punk

Actually they didn't release CM Punk. CM Punk decided to stop working for TNA when TNA pulled all their talent from ROH shows when the ROH owner at the time caught the pedophile case. TNA didn't want to be affiliated with that as they thought it could scar their chances of getting a TV deal. Punk got upset at TNA for doing that and decided to strictly work ROH shows without TNA handcuffs. So yeah, TNA didn't let him go.

Jay Lethal doesn't have much of his own personality either, but it didn't stop him.

Believe me, if there's anyone on these forums who puts a major focus on the personality of the wrestler, it's me, but there are some cases where that can be over looked, and this is one of them, IMO. Strong is technically sound enough to the point he compensates for that lack of an over-the-top/identifiable personality. When he works as a heel, he also helps to mask it even more, as it's generally an easy task to act superior to the peers around you.

What you also fail to realize, is that he does in fact bring more than just wrestling – he brings a new face, which as far as the X Division goes, is something that it could benefit from greatly. Eric Young can wrestle, as can Jesse Neal, Amazing Red, etc. but not a one of them would I rather see feuding for the XDC with Williams (or the current champion) over Strong.

Besides, seeing the Liontamer used in wrestling again (the Elevated Boston crab) as the Stronghold would be amazing!

The thing is that people warmed up to Jay Lethal because of the Black Machismo gimmick. That gimmick alone did wonders for Lethal's career and he ended up becoming 1 of TNA's most recognizable or popular acts. To me Tyler Black is just another wrestler and imo TNA needs someone that is just another wrestler. His new face will wear off after about a few months so it means nothing to me. He won't be bringing any special attributes or anything to TNA when it's said and done. They can skip over him imo.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

The thing is that people warmed up to Jay Lethal because of the Black Machismo gimmick. That gimmick alone did wonders for Lethal's career and he ended up becoming 1 of TNA's most recognizable or popular acts.

But it did nothing to actually give Jay a recognizable personality. Yes, that gimmick helped because it was funny, but by that accord I could say Eric Young could easily be in the same position had he been the one to have been given the same elder rub. Unfortunately, I don't think that's really the case. Lethal has a substantial number of hurdles to get over in the future if he ever expects to make it big, because as of this moment, he's going the Bobby Lashley route – that is to say, a popular wrestler with a dime-a-dozen personality.

To me Tyler Black is just another wrestler and imo TNA needs someone that is just another wrestler. His new face will wear off after about a few months so it means nothing to me. He won't be bringing any special attributes or anything to TNA when it's said and done. They can skip over him imo.

I presume you meant Roderick Strong, not Tyler Black, though I do see similarities between the two otherwise. Yes, Strong is "just another wrestler", but so too is Brian Danielson, so would you say no to Danielson because he has the personality of a dial tone, too? Like I said, there are exceptions to the rule that sometimes are OK to be accepted despite obvious flaws. Do I really need to cite Chris Benoit or Dean Malenko here? The Vanilla Midgets thing existed for a reason – they were. Doesn't mean they're any less impacting, or any less important to the history of this business.

Strong, again, has major personality issues, but he is a fantastic technical wrestler, and would be a welcomed addition to my roster were I working for TNA right now. Until you can name me a more suitable replacement to help revitalize the XD with new faces, I don't see what the issue here is...

 

[Reddannihilation]

Jay Lethal doesn't have much of his own personality either, but it didn't stop him.

Woah now, you don't put your hands on God.

Roderick Strong seems like a good person to add to the TNA fold. I watched some youtube clips and he seems to be a good wrestler. He and Williams would work quite well with this idea of bringing Mat-wrestling back to the X-division. Now all they need is A-Double to revitalize the entire division.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Woah now, you don't put your hands on God.

Roderick Strong seems like a good person to add to the TNA fold. I watched some youtube clips and he seems to be a good wrestler. He and Williams would work quite well with this idea of bringing Mat-wrestling back to the X-division. Now all they need is A-Double to revitalize the entire division.

God. God. God. I, am God. I am your, God!

I couldn't agree more, especially if they wanted to ground some of the history of the XD only being about high-fliers and speedsters. They're entertaining to watch, sure, but they also lack that big-time element that makes you really care about the outcome. Matches between Amazing Red and Max Buck might be fun, but does anyone honestly care who wins? Same can't be said of Strong v. Williams in a feud centered around who the better wrestler really is – that kind of thing is always a rousing success – see Benoit v. Booker T best-of-seven series and more recently, the Beer Money, Inc. v. MCMG best-of-five.

A-Double most certainly needs to be brought back, though. Aeries is the greatest personality left in ROH right now, and I was actually pretty upset when he was let go of back in 2007 to begin with. Austin Starr wasn't the greatest character name, or the greatest character (kind of a rip-off of Savage, really), but Aeries still pulled it off well, and the dissension between he and Shelley at the time was fantastic.

 

[Reddannihilation]

I couldn't agree more, especially if they wanted to ground some of the history of the XD only being about high-fliers and speedsters. They're entertaining to watch, sure, but they also lack that big-time element that makes you really care about the outcome. Matches between Amazing Red and Max Buck might be fun, but does anyone honestly care who wins? Same can't be said of Strong v. Williams in a feud centered around who the better wrestler really is – that kind of thing is always a rousing success – see Benoit v. Booker T best-of-seven series and more recently, the Beer Money, Inc. v. MCMG best-of-five.

Pretty much, Roderick has personality issues for sure, but he's not so bad that he couldn't work a decent feud. With Williams being the first to incorporate mat-wrestling back to the XD I can only see Strong helping that cause. People love talking about the X-div of old, but rarely do they stop and realize that guys like Daniels, Styles, Joe, Low-Ki and Jerry Lynn weren't all about high-spots and flips. It's when the division became a solely cruiserweight division that it started to falter. Roderick Strong would greatly help that division.

A-Double most certainly needs to be brought back, though. Aeries is the greatest personality left in ROH right now, and I was actually pretty upset when he was let go of back in 2007 to begin with. Austin Starr wasn't the greatest character name, or the greatest character (kind of a rip-off of Savage, really), but Aeries still pulled it off well, and the dissension between he and Shelley at the time was fantastic.

Austin is literally like the Anti-AJ brining him in would be perfect. With ROH more or less being a poaching farm at this point, I see no issue with TNA raiding some stars. Personally I'd grab A-Double and Chris Hero just to add some more fresh faces to the TNA scene.

AA can feud with just about anyone and Chris Hero would be excellent for a bigger guy who can be brought in as an immediate contender, with enough size to dominate smaller opponents.

 

[The Holy One]

Pretty much, Roderick has personality issues for sure, but he's not so bad that he couldn't work a decent feud. With Williams being the first to incorporate mat-wrestling back to the XD I can only see Strong helping that cause. People love talking about the X-div of old, but rarely do they stop and realize that guys like Daniels, Styles, Joe, Low-Ki and Jerry Lynn weren't all about high-spots and flips. It's when the division became a solely cruiserweight division that it started to falter. Roderick Strong would greatly help that division.

I couldn't agree more with this statement. I think with the introduction of Ultimate X did the division become more about high-spots and flips but even with that being said the best one imo (Final Resolution 2005) wasn't a huge spotfest in the least. While looking at old X-Division matches b/w Low Ki, Jerry Lynn, Styles, and Psychosis, these guys were much about techinical aspects as wrestling with adding a little bit of high-flying every now and then.

I consider Roderick Strong signing much like Samoa Joe's in 2005, he's not going to add much personality wise but he's a great wrestling addition who already has a fan base so he should have no problem getting over with the crowd with just his in-ring work alone. I think him, Williams, and maybe Lethal can help lead the X-Division much like Styles, Daniels, and Joe did before them.

I also welcome the return of Aries to TNA. He can also help resurrect the X-Division with his personality and ring work. I was a fan of during his previous run with the company so if he returns there will be no complaint from me.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Pretty much, Roderick has personality issues for sure, but he's not so bad that he couldn't work a decent feud. With Williams being the first to incorporate mat-wrestling back to the XD I can only see Strong helping that cause. People love talking about the X-div of old, but rarely do they stop and realize that guys like Daniels, Styles, Joe, Low-Ki and Jerry Lynn weren't all about high-spots and flips. It's when the division became a solely cruiserweight division that it started to falter. Roderick Strong would greatly help that division.

Bingo. High spots are one thing, but high spot-fests are something entirely different, and that's exactly what the division became when it was fronted by Davari, Creed, Suicide, Red, etc.

Tyler Black was another guy I thought could really help the XD, but he's signed with WWE developmental, so that idea is out the window.

Austin is literally like the Anti-AJ brining him in would be perfect. With ROH more or less being a poaching farm at this point, I see no issue with TNA raiding some stars. Personally I'd grab A-Double and Chris Hero just to add some more fresh faces to the TNA scene.

AA can feud with just about anyone and Chris Hero would be excellent for a bigger guy who can be brought in as an immediate contender, with enough size to dominate smaller opponents.

Same here – but beyond Chris Hero, if we're running an ROH raid, I'd undoubtedly look to sign The Briscoe Bros and Kevin Steen as well.

Hero has an uncanny ability to draw heat – he'd be an instant hit if the iMPACT! Zone would learn not to cheer for him regardless.

 

[JenksIX]

They're entertaining to watch, sure, but they also lack that big-time element that makes you really care about the outcome. Matches between Amazing Red and Max Buck might be fun, but does anyone honestly care who wins?

A-Double most certainly needs to be brought back, though. Aeries is the greatest personality left in ROH right now

As usual, you are spot on about things Damn Real. Sometimes I feel the X Division is a FACE in and of it's self. It's like if your an X Division guy your an automatic face b/c some people are such big marks for it (especially in the shit-pact zone.)

I find that spot fest guys never get much of an emotional following, as to say the majority of people are not emotionally invested in them as fans. I think one of the reasons, is because they just don't sell. Also, they make everything look too easy.

Do you remember the days when tests of strength and gorilla presses were popular? If those days are gone, I can not really see much of a future for wrestling. I was watching Summer Slam 90' & 91' a couple of days ago (Rick Rude was great in that PPV by the way) I guess the point I'm trying to make is that gorilla pressing a man whose 230+ lbs ... IS NOT EASY. I was watching Hogan during the PPV and if Hogan went down, it wasn't easy for him to get back up. I even noticed recently on a TNA Impact he got hit with a chair and he went down so awkwardly. Now I don't know if by awkward I mean more realistic or what, (the way he went down had to do w/ his bad knees) but back in the 80s-90s those guys really knew how to sell. They were also not 5'7 165lb guys getting beat up by guys of the same weight, they were 6'1+ 250lbs+. They didn't have the cardio of these small guys and were undoubtedly taking big shots once in a while from guys like Bigelow, Greg the Hammer, Anvil.

I guess I'm saying their selling was better b/c they didn't make things look easy b/c it wasn't. I was watching Hardcore Justice and I saw Kid Kash do that flip off the ropes on to 6 guys and I was like "if this guy can do that, I don't see what the big deal w/ AJ Styles is" just messing around but half serious ... and someone said "AJ Styles could of done that 10 times better and made it look easy." May be that's the problem. These guys just make it look too easy, sometimes. There never out of breath, never sweat, never have a real look of anguish or determination.

Now I'm not saying they should be out of shape either, it's just wrestling is all about how you sell it and right now, TNA's having trouble with that.

As for Roderick Strong and Austin Aeries, I wouldn't mind seeing them in TNA.
If TNA ever wants to seriously bring back the X Division, they are going to need new faces. Also I haven't seen much of ROH, but hearing about a guy bringing back the liontamer gets me excited. I think it's time submissions stopped being so ineffective (will anyone ever tap to the walls of jericho ever again or will Jericho spend the rest of his career doing awkward somersaults?). Also a submission is a move that can really get people anticipating the outcome of matches.

 

[Chicago1989]

Roderick Strong to TNA?

Well that would be ANOTHER big loss for Ring Of Honor. And I wouldn't be surprised either. It's been known that guys in ROH don't get paid well enough to maintain themselves, especially with their kind of work. Maybe Roderick would follow Tyler Black by signing with a mainstream company, maybe not..

Right now, Roderick Strong's in a program with this Truth Martini guy and becoming the next contender for the World Title; so right now, he's not really doing anything TOO big. But he is one of ROH's main eventers so that would leave another big void on the roster. But I hope he doesn't leave; I'm starting to become a fan of his work in Ring Of Honor and he always delivers great matches. Hopefully his passion (If he has any) for WRESTLING wouldn't make him join these companies who would have no use for him but we'll see....

 

[Reddannihilation]

I couldn't agree more with this statement. I think with the introduction of Ultimate X did the division become more about high-spots and flips but even with that being said the best one imo (Final Resolution 2005) wasn't a huge spotfest in the least. While looking at old X-Division matches b/w Low Ki, Jerry Lynn, Styles, and Psychosis, these guys were much about techinical aspects as wrestling with adding a little bit of high-flying every now and then.

I think the big issue with the X-div, is that these days far too many cruiserweights are exclusivley limited to flips, the best example would be a comparison of GenMe to the MCMG, GenMe are great athletes and solid performers but the MCMG have a lot more variation in the ring, GenMe have kicks and flips, MCMG have kicks and flips, but they also incorporate slams, holds etc. For some reason people either have forgotten that people like AJ rarely use lots of high flying moves or they just think any wrestler who's finisher isn't a top rope move shouldn't be in the division.

I consider Roderick Strong signing much like Samoa Joe's in 2005, he's not going to add much personality wise but he's a great wrestling addition who already has a fan base so he should have no problem getting over with the crowd with just his in-ring work alone. I think him, Williams, and maybe Lethal can help lead the X-Division much like Styles, Daniels, and Joe did before them.

I agree, although I'd add Bryan Kendrick to that equation, that way you've got a high flying guy in BK, a guy with some flying moves but a decent amont of mat stuff in lethal, a slam/mat-oriented guy in Strong and the perfect technician in Williams.

I also welcome the return of Aries to TNA. He can also help resurrect the X-Division with his personality and ring work. I was a fan of during his previous run with the company so if he returns there will be no complaint from me.

I'm starting to wonder if people should petition an Aries return.

Bingo. High spots are one thing, but high spot-fests are something entirely different, and that's exactly what the division became when it was fronted by Davari, Creed, Suicide, Red, etc.

Agreed.

Tyler Black was another guy I thought could really help the XD, but he's signed with WWE developmental, so that idea is out the window.

It'll be interesting to see how well Ty Blackingston does as an NXT rookie, maybe they'll pair him with Vladimir Kozlov as his pro and Tyler can learn how to undevelop personality.

Same here – but beyond Chris Hero, if we're running an ROH raid, I'd undoubtedly look to sign The Briscoe Bros and Kevin Steen as well.

I'd probably try to grab the Amercan Wolves too.

Hero has an uncanny ability to draw heat – he'd be an instant hit if the iMPACT! Zone would learn not to cheer for him regardless.

Hero seems like one of those few people who could actually get the IZ fans to boo him.

Hopefully his passion (If he has any) for WRESTLING wouldn't make him join these companies who would have no use for him but we'll see

Explain how TNA has no use for him?

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I'm starting to wonder if people should petition an Aries return.

Where do I sign?

It'll be interesting to see how well Ty Blackingston does as an NXT rookie, maybe they'll pair him with Vladimir Kozlov as his pro and Tyler can learn how to undevelop personality.

LOL!

I'd probably try to grab the Amercan Wolves too.

A-OK with me.

Hero seems like one of those few people who could actually get the IZ fans to boo him.

Oh sure, but I'm not entirely positive it would be legitimate heat, though. I cite Christopher Daniels as a case of this – when he was feuding with Morley, granted the iMPACT! Zone hated Morley, but Daniels absolutely struggled to garner legitimate boos, and it wasn't until he insulted them directly that they finally got the picture. Indie star heros tend to be cheered, not jeered, and it takes a lot to surpass that for some reason with the indie fans that frequent the IZ.

 

[Slyfox696]

Apparently I was the only TNA fan back when Roderick Strong worked for them the first time. Because it seems most people seem to think Strong should be signed by TNA.

What the fuck is TNA going to do with a mediocre wrestler that no one gives a shit about? They already have a ton of those guys, why add another one, when it's obvious this guy will never draw money? Not to mention Strong already was with TNA before and he was a complete never was.

Let's face it, Roderick Strong is a mediocre wrestler, with limited personality and no name recognition. What the fuck would be the point? Give Funaki a call, at least wrestling fans have heard of him.

 

[Барбоса]

Signing Roderick Strong now would be somewhat pointless for TNA at the moment because they do not seem to have the inclination to reinvigorate the X Division by fleshing out its roster, particulary now with the inception of the TV title.

And to be honest, Strong would need a lot of time to develop his personna as an intense, back-breaking type and even then the wrestling public at large would likely not buy into an X Division feud between him and Douglas Williams (although I would love it) as it would not contain many, if any, flippies.

 

[Chicago1989]

Explain how TNA has no use for him?

Well it's safe to fear for the worst when you switch from pro wrestling to mainstream. Things are different, like more politics, booking, and how you're used. TNA lacks consistency when it comes to building storylines and characters. That's the main issue.

 

[Tougie]

Strong would be a huge gain for TNA, and a huge loss for ROH. Strong has been great in the ring since i first saw him in TNA back in 05. In ROH he has continued to grow and can really put on a great match, and now he is starting to work the mic and is average or a bit above, but in TNA you don't really see the lower card guys on the mic anyway.

This would be a huge signing for TNA and if they plan on revamping the X-Divison he is a must have.

 

[AmericanKris]

I hope strong stays far away from TNA. TNA already had Strong and had nothing for him and that was before TNA became a cluster of Old guys.

 

[MisterRob]

It'll be interesting to see how well Ty Blackingston does as an NXT rookie, maybe they'll pair him with Vladimir Kozlov as his pro and Tyler can learn how to undevelop personality.

Since when does Tyler Black have ANY kind of personality?



As for Roderick Strong being signed? I watched TNA back in the day when Strong was working for the company and I seem to remember him getting out of his contract and going back to Ring of Honor because he wasn't happy, much like Aries ended up doing. I can't imagine Strong would gain anything from coming to TNA and in fact the situation would probably be far worse then it was the last time he was there becuase there's even less spots for him to take and the X Divisions in a far worse state then it was the last time he was there.

If TNA's really behind revitalizing the X Division and finally doing something with it then I would agree Strong could be an asset; certainly more then most of the talent in the X Division now are. He at least has a style of wrestling that would bring something different and for the Impact zone he's got name recognition with all the smarks there. Aside from that, though? Strong's gt no personality and no charisma, he's certainly not going to be much of an asset unless that somehow changes. I'd personally rather have Austin Aries back in TNA over Strong.